Are you pregnant again after having preeclampsia once already in a previous pregnancy? Post your thoughts/concerns here - there are others who share your feelings. This is also the home of our Bedrest Buddies Support group.

I had my son a little over 3 yrs ago. He was born at 30 weeks by emergency c-section when I developed Pre-E and HELLP. He was 2 lbs 1 oz. He spent 5 1/2 weeks in the NICU.

I am now 20 weeks pregnant. I am so nervous. I had a triple screen about 1 1/2 weeks ago that came back positive. I was looking in to it and found that there may be a higher rick of Pre-E when the test comes back positive. This has only added to my nervousness. Everyone keeps telling me not to worry about it. It just seems impossible to me not to worry at this point.

People who say not to worry are people that are fortunate enough to be blissfully unaware of what preeclampsia really does - In my opinion... [;)]. I can imagine that I will worry until I hold my little one in my arms.

The good news though is that you're very aware of preeclampsia and know what to look for! I don't know about you but, I had never really heard about preeclampsia until the day I was diagnosed. i haven't been in your shoes yet (2nd pregnancy) but, I have been told by all my doctors that it will be very hard emotionally and the I just need to expect that. My doctor suggested that I find things to get involved in to help "distract" and occupy me, whether it be work, a hobby, the Foundation[:D], etc.

Are you seeing a high-risk doctor? How have your bp readings and urine tests been?

Hi Heather, I can tell you a little bit about the triple screen test. There is some anectdotal evidence that sometimes you get a false positive with the test because the problems with maternal/fetal circulation that ultimately result in preeclampsia are already present although undetectable as symptoms for you. That is just one explanation for why you might get a positive. However, don't forget that this is a screening test. The numbers that we get are probabilities and thus the values come as "distance from the mean/average". You can just end up a totally normal out-lier.

More to the point... it is ridiculous for people to tell you not to worry. You have Ahmad as proof of what there is to worry about! I was where you are now a year ago, pregnant after preeclampsia and occasionally almost paralysed by fear, even though everything went really well with the pregnancy. I think it is a perfectly human reaction and totally reasonable. Can I make three suggestions? Be confident that your medical providers are up to the challenge of taking care of you should the preeclampsia come back. Hopefully you've got a good MFM specialist, if not, now would be a good time to find one. Laura will provide the link. The second thing is to try and compartmentalize a little bit. I tried to not let the fear undermine my ability to enjoy my pregnancy. It wasn't easy and I didn't always succeed but the little kicks inside are too precious to waste. The third, well that is to consider finding a place where you can share your fears and concerns. The forum is an excellent place, the ladies here pretty much held my hand through to the delivery and they were wonderful. Especially as my husband was very nervous too and I didn't want to make him feel scared and have the two of us nervous wrecks.

Boy, I feel ya' on that Catherine,
I have been trying to relax and enjoy this pregnancy.
It is so hard!
But the support does help.
And before you know it the time has passed.
I cannot believe that it is getting warm outside, the baby will be here in JUNE!

Also, I seem to remember a discussion about the possible relationship btwn 3screen AFP test and tendancy toward pre-e??
I'll have to looks around and see if it is still floating around somewhere...
Jennifer